Ubuntu Software Center is an open source piece of software specifically designed as the default package manager for the world's most popular free operating system, Ubuntu Linux, with which it comes preinstalled.

Features at a glance

It is actually a graphical user interface (GUI) for the APT command-line package management utility of Debian GNU/Linux, allowing the user to easily and quickly find, install, re-install, update or remove applications, add or remove software repositories (PPA), and buy commercial products for their Ubuntu systems.

The program's interface is easy-to-use, designed by human beings for human beings. All the Ubuntu programs are organized into categories, visible on the left side of the window. In addition, it displays the top rated applications, new additions, as well as the project of the month.

Another interesting feature is the recommendations functionality, which will display various software packages that might be useful to you, based on the programs you have installed. Also, it features a built-in sync function that allows users to sync their applications between multiple computers.

Availability and supported OSes

The application can be downloaded as a source archive, installable on any Debian-based operating system. However, it comes pre-installed on Ubuntu, as well as on Xubuntu and Edubuntu, accessible from the Unity Launcher.

It has been optimized for Ubuntu Linux, but it can also be used on other Ubuntu-based Linux operating systems, including Xubuntu, Edubuntu, etc. It is also a known fact that various forkes of Ubuntu Software Center exist, such as Lubuntu Software Center for the Lubuntu Linux distribution.

Bottom line

With Ubuntu Software Center you will always be able to download the latest version of an application designed to run under the Ubuntu Linux distribution, as well as many other Ubuntu flavors. If you use these Debian-based operating systems and you hate installing programs from the command-line, then Ubuntu Software Center is definitely your friend.

Ubuntu Software Center was reviewed by Marius Nestor, last updated on May 20th, 2014